Unitary controller



Jan. 15, 1946. A. G. ERICSON EIAL 2,393,093

UNITARY CONTROLLER Filed July 26, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 8 INVENTOR.S.' T 7 E 16 7+ Efreziiricsom 2/2 M i BY fierMfQzzaieram 511/ v 1 2 M '1946.- A G. ERICSQN Em 2,393,09

UNITARY CONTROLLER Filed July 26, 1943 3 Sheets-Shee t 2 INVENTORSI- Qfred 617726.502?

BY Ear-ZZZ fazzderaan Patented Jan. 15, 1946 UNITARY CONTROLLER Alfred G. Ericson and Bertil T. Anderson, Rockford, Ill., assignors to Sundstrand Machine Tool 00., Rockford, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application July 26, 1943, Serial No. 496,134

8 Claims.

The invention relates generally to a controller and more particularly to a unitary electrical controller especially adapted for use with machine tools and the like.

A general object of the invention is to provide a unitary electrical controller of new and improved construction.

A more particular object is to provide a controller of the character described having a construction resulting in precision in operation without requiring high precision in manufacture, permitting the controller to be quickly and economically manufactured and assembled.

Another object is to provide an electrical controller that is readily wired and serviced, all switches being located at the top of the controller unit which they are exposed by simple removal of a cover.

Another object is to provide a unitary electrical controller having a main casing supporting and housing switch actuating mechanism, and a plurality of unit switches removably mounted on a plate in turn removably mounted at the top of the main casing, the engagement between the switches and the actuating mechanism permitting removal or replacement of the plate and the switches as a unit. I

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a controller embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the controller shown in Fig, 1.

Fig. 3 is an end clevational view taken from the left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an end clevational view taken from the right in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the controller of Fig. 1 with the cover removed and with one operating element in section.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of Figs. 1 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 1--1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along the line 9-9 of Fi 5.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along the line Ill-40 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken aproximately along the line ll-ll of Fig. 5.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions. it is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described in a preferred embodiment. It is not intended, however, to be limited to the specific disclosure shown, but on the contrary it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

As shown in the drawings, for purposes of dis closure, the controller comprises a casing, generally designated i5, having a main bottom or base portion I6 and a closure H. The main portion iii of the casing is generally rectangular with side walls [8 of normal thickness and end walls l9 and 2B, which will hereinafter be referred to as front and rear end walls, respectively, of substantially thickness or at least formed with thickened portions, as best seen in Figs. 6 to 8. The main casing portion l 6 is open at the bottom and at the top with end walls cut back to form shoulders 24. The closure I1 is also rectangular and formed with a peripheral flange 22 of some considerable width so as to give depth to the closure, permitting portions of the controller mechanism to project thereinto. The flange 22 registers with the end and side walls of the main casing portion l6 and the closure is removably secured by means of bolts 23 extending through suitable recesses and apertures formed in the closure and into threaded engagement with the end walls l9 and 20 of the main casing-portion. At its rear end the closure is formed with a projecting lip or apron 24 to provide a protecting shield for certain operating elements located therebeneath, as will shortly be described.

It is a feature of this invention that the sturdy. substantially trouble-free, mechanical switch actuating mechanisms are housed in the somewhat less accessible, main casing portion l6, while the less sturdy electrical portions of the controller are located at the top of the main casing p rtion partially within the closure 11 to be readily accessible upon removal of the closure. To that end, there is provided herein a plurality of switches 26, 21, 28, 29, 30, 3!, 32 and 33 of identical construction mounted on a U-shaped plate 34 removably secured, as by bolts 35, upon the shoulders 2|. Each switch, as best seen in Fig. 9, is a micro switch disclosed and claimed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,960,020. Sufiice it to say, therefore, that each switch comprises a twopart casing 31 housing therein a, movable leaf spring contact 38 and a pair of stationary contacts 39 and I disposed on opposite sides of the free end of the movable contact. The contacts 38 and 40 are brought out (see Fig. to terminals 4i and 42 on thetop, exterior side of the casing 31. The movable leaf spring contact 38 is anchored at one end to the casing 31 and is brought out to a terminal 43 on the top surface of the casing 37. The terminals 4| to 43 are preferably separated by small ribs or beads 44 to aid. in preventing short circuiting of the wires that are connected thereto. The movable contact 38 is normally biased into engagement with the contact 40 and is moved out of engagement with the contact 48 and into engagement with the contact 38 by means of a pin 45 extending outwardly of the casing 31 through what is the bottom wall thereof, as viewed in Fig. 9.

To adapt the switch for use in this invention, it is provided with adapter means, generally designated 45, forming a combined attaching means and yieldable extension of the pin 45. This structure comprises a tube 45 secured to the bottom wall of the casing 31 in surrounding relation to the pin 45. The tube 46 is externally threaded to receive a pair of nuts 41 by means of which the tube and hence the switch are securely retained in position carried by the U-shaped plate 34, after having first been passed through an ap erture formed in the plate for the passage of the tube. Slidable in the inner end of the tube and abutting the projecting end of the pin 45 i a disk 48 having a central stud 49 for centering one end of a compression spring 58. The other end of the spring bears against the closed end of a. thimble 5! which is slidable in the tube 46 and which is retained against loss through the outer end of the tube 46 by an inturned flange 52. The dimension of the sprin and of the tube and thimble are such, in the position shown in Fig. 9, that the movable contact 38 engages the stationary contact 48. Slight upward movement of the thimble 5| acting through the spring 50 and disk 48 moves the pin 45 to break the connection between the contacts 38 and 48, and to make the same between the contacts 38 and 39, the strength of the spring being sufllcient to overcome the bias of the movable contact 38. Spring 50, however, compresses to permitan over travel of the switch actuating means without injury to the switch proper.

The number and location of switches may, of course, vary to adapt the controller for different installations. Herein, as already indicated. eight switches 26, 21, 28, 28, 30, 3|, 32 and 33 are provided, and these are arranged with the switches 26 and 21, 28 and 28, and 32 and 33 a functional pairs, the switches of the first two pairs being disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the controller and offset longitudinally of the controller by approximately the width of a switch, while the last named pai are disposed parallel with one another. all as best seen in Fig. 5. The switches 38 and 3| are functionally individual, and are disposed parallel with one another extending longitudinally of the easing, as distinguished from transversely, as are all of the other switches.

As above stated, the actuating means for the switches is housed within the main portion l6 of the casing with operated elements projecting outwardly of the casing. The actuating means comprises a shaft 55 extending longitudinally of the casing. The shaft is journaled near its ends in the end walls I9 and 28 of the main pcrv tion [6 of the casing and projects outwardly beyond each end wall. Preferably bushings 56 of suitable material are interposed between the shaft and the bores 51 and 58 in the end walls l8 and 28, respectively, and at its front end the shaft 55 is formed with a radial flange 58 which is received in an enlargement of the bore 51. Retaining the flange in the enlargement of the bore 81 so as to hold the shaft 55 in fixed longi tudinal position, while permitting oscillation thereof, is a cap 68 removably secured to the fromv end wall I8 by bolts 6|.

Carried by the shaft 55 is an actuating element 85 for the switches 26 and 21. The element comprises a hub 66 of substantial axial width and is non-rotatably secured to the shaft by means of a pin 81 extending diametrically through the hub and the shaft. Extending laterally to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, is an arm 68 disposed in a plane vertically beneath the pin of the switch 26, while extending laterally to the left and rearwardly is an arm 69 terminating vertically beneath the pin of the switch 21 Extending downwardly from the hub is a star wheel forming portion 10 having its peripher formed with three notches l l, 12 and 13. Adapted to cooperate with the notches is a roller 14 carried by a bar 15 pivotally mounted at one end on a block I8 removably secured, as by bolts 11, to a shelf 18 projecting inwardl from one side wall of the main casing portion, Connected to the other end of the bar I5 is one end of a tension spring 18 anchored at the other end on a pin 88 projecting from the side wall of the casing portion Hi. It will be seen, especially from Fig. 9, that the element 65 has three positions, namely, a neutral position, as shown, wherein the roller 14 engages the intermediate notch 12, and extreme positions on either side of neutral in which the roller 14 engages the notches H and 13, respectively. As clearly seen from Fig. 9, when the element is in its neutral position neither the arm 68 nor the arm 69 engages the adapter, and hence the switches 26 and 21 remain in their normal. non-actuated position, When the element 65 is in either extreme position, however. one switch 5 will be actuated, while the other will remain in normal position, depending upon the direction in which the shaft is rocked.

For actuation of the switches 28 and 29. an element, generally designated 83, similar to the element 65, is provided. This element has a hub 84 and projecting laterally from the hub are arms 85 and 86, with the arm 86 again also projecting rearwardly to underlie the adapter means for the switch 28. A star wheel portion 81 extends downwardly from the hub and has a pair of notches 88 and 89 formed in its periphery. C0- operating with the notches to retain the element 83 yieldably in one or the other of its two positions is a roller 98 carried by a bar 9| pivotally mounted at one end on the block 16. The other end has secured thereto one end of a tension spring 92, the other end of which is anchored on a pin 93 projecting inwardly from the side wall of the main casing portion !6, This element is rotatable relative to the shaft 55 and is retained with its hub in abutting relation to the hub 56 by means of a collar 94 retained by a pin 95. The element 83 is driven from the shaft 55 through the element in a manner such that it is actuated whenever the element 65 is moved to an extreme position, but remains unactuated while the element 65 returns from either extreme position to neutral. To that end, the hub 84 as best seen in Fig. 5, formed with a notch 86, while the hub 66 is formed with a tongue 81 projecting into the notch. The notch is sumclently wider than the tongue 31 to provide a lost motion con nection bringing about the operation above described.

The shaft 55, and hence the switches 20 to 23, is adapted for actuation either manually under the control of an operator or automatically by means such as dogs on a machine with which the controller is associated. To that end, there is mounted on the front end of the shaft 55 a manual actuating handle I00. This handle is secured to the end of the shaft by means of a pin IOI extending diametrically through the shaft so as to be non-rotatable relative thereto, but at the same time pivotal in one plane of the shaft. At its rear end the shaft 55 has non-rotatably fixed thereto, as by a pin I02, an arm I03 carrying a follower I04. Preferably this follower is axially yieldable and to that end is slidably mounted in the arm I03, being limited against excessive outward movement by a radially outwardly projecting flange I05, and being urged yieldably to projecting position by a compression spring I06 received at one end in a recess I01 formed in the follower I04, and hearing at the other end against a cap I03 threaded onto the arm I03 in surrounding relation to the flanged end of the follower I04.

Extending longitudinally of the casing parallel with and vertically beneath the shaft 55 is a rod I II projecting at its front end outwardly through a stepped bore III, formed in the front end wall I 0, and through the end cap 00. At its projecting end the rod is formed with a notch II2 into w ch Projects an arcuate lip 3 formed on the :i casing. The plunger is urged outwardly by a handle I30. To protect the end of the rod, the handle I00 is formed with a second, longer lip I I4 which projects downwardly to cover the end of the rod IIO. Inwardly of the notch II2, there is formed on the rod IIII a radially outwardly projecting flange H5, and immediately adjacent this flange, outwardly of it, is a washer III large enough to engage an annular shoulder I I1 formed in the stepped bore III. A compression spring III surrounds the rod III and bears at one end against the cap 60 and at the other end against the washer Iii to urge the rod IIl rearwardly until limited by the shoulder II1, as in Fig. 6. The remaining or rear end of the rod II 0 is slidably received within a bore I20 formed in a plunger I2I longitudinally slidable in a bore I22 in the rear end wall 20. The plunger has a reduced and rounded portion I23 projecting outwardly through the rear wall 20 for engagement and actuation by suitable means, such as dogs, on a machine with which the controller is associated. The reduced portion I23 leaves an annular shoulder I24 on the plunger which abuts a shoulder I25 formed by the bore 22 to limit outward movement of the plunger under the influence of a compression spring I25 interposed in the bore I20 in the plunger between the end of the rod H0 and the end of the bore. Preferably a limited lost motion connection is formed between the plunger and the rod. To that end, the rod is formed with an elongated slot I21 and projecting through this slot is a pin I23 carried by the plunger I2 I. Thus it will be seen that the rod II 0 may be shifted rearwardly by the handle III even though the plunger is already abutting the shoulder I25, and that, conversely, the plunger I2I may be operated and either shift the rod IIO forwardly through the compression spring I20, or may leave the rod IIO unshifted if shift is opposed by a force sumciently great to overcome the spring I20. Arcuate slots I and I through which the rod III projects are formed respectively in the elements 03 and 83 to accommodate the rod.

Rod IIO governs actuation of the switches 32 and 33. To that end, there depends downwardly from the plate 34 a block I3I terminating in a bifurcated end, and pivotally mounted in the bifurcated end of the block I3I on a pin I32 is a lever I33 carrying on its upper end, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 11, a horizontally disposed, U- shaped member I34, the legs of which extend laterally outwardly to underlie the adapters 45' of the switches 32 and 33. In normal position, the lever I33 does not actuate either of the switches 32 and 33, but upon slight pivoting will actuate one or the other, depending upon the direction in which the lever I33 is swung. Projecting laterally inwardly from the lower end of the lever I33 is a pin I adapted to engage in suitable means formed in the rod IIO so that the lever will be rocked as the rod is moved axially. In order to enable ready assembly or disassembly of the controller and, particularly, to enable the plate 34 together with the switches and the portions of the switch actuating means carried thereby to be removed as a unit, the means with which the pin I35 engages is formed as a slot I33 in the side of the rod H0 and opening upwardly, so that engagement or disengagement of the pin with the rod is easily effected as an incident to the vertical removal or replacement of the plate 34.

Switch 3I is herein controlled by an operating element in the form of a plunger I projecting from a bore I4I formed in the rear wall 20 of the compression spring I42 bearing at one end against the bottom of the bore MI and at the other and against the plunger I40, the spring being in surrounding relation to a stem I43 of the plunger which projects inwardly through the rear end wall 20. At this inner end the stem I 43 has a reduced portion carrying a collar I44 limiting the outward movement of the plunger I40. The collar I44 has an annular groove I45 formed therein for the reception of the end of one arm I46 of a right-angle lever I41, the other arm I43 of which is disposed beneath the adapter means 45 of the switch 3|. The lever I41 is pivotally mounted by means of a pin I49 between bifurcations of a block I50 depending from the plate 34. It will be seen that here again the arm I46 of the lever I41 is engaged or disengaged from the plunger I40 as an incident to vertical removal or replacement of the plate 34. Switch 30 is under the control of an operatin element again in the form of a plunger I5I acting through a right-angle lever I52 with both the plunger and the lever identical in construction with the plunger I40 and the lever I41. As best seen in Fig. 4, the plungers I40, I5I and I23 are disposed at various levels and, of course. at different points laterally of the casing, so as to adapt them for operation by suitable means such as dogs on a machine with which the controller is associated.

To facilitate mounting of the controller directly on the bed of the machine, as is the customary practice, the corners of the base portion I6 of the casing are formed with fillets I53 having holes I54 drilled therethrough for the passage of bolts 1 securing the controller to the machine. Secured to each of the side walls I8 is a. vertically extending channel member I55 forming a conduit or passage for the wires connected to the various switches. Just as the number and arrangement of switches may be varied, so also may the function of the various switches be varied. However, it might be stated that when employed, for ex ample, with a machine tool the switches 32 and 33 are connected to act as start and stop switches, and it will be understood that these may be manually actuated through pivoting of the handle I about its pin I Hi. One of these switches will also be under the control of the plunger IZI. The switches 26 to 29 usually determine direction of operation of some element and rate of operation, that is, feed or traverse. The switches 30 and Si may have a variety of functions including the producing of different rates of feed speed, or possibly limit switches, or some other function well known to those skilled in the art.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that we have perfected a unique, unitary controller providing a construction which is precise and accurate in operation without requiring high precision in manufacture, thereby enabling the unit to be more economically manufactured and assembled. The controller has also been designed with a view to enhancing ease of assembly and above all servicing. It will be seen that herein the electrical parts, which are more inclined to require servicing than the sturdy mechanical parts, are housed at the top of the casing where they are quickly and completely exposed simply by removal of the closure ll. Moreover, the construction is such that the switches and portions of the actuating means therefore may be assembled on the plate 34 as a unit and then installed in the casing as a unit with the actuating means carried by the plate operatively engaging the rod H0 or the appropriate plungers as an incident to vertical movement of the plate into position.

We claim as our invention:

1. A controller comprising, in combination, a casing having a main portion opening upwardly and a closure therefor, a plate removably mounted near the top of said main portion, a plurality of switches mounted on the upper side of said plate for exposure and ready access upon removal of said closure, each of said switches having a casing, terminals on the top of said last named casing, an actuating pin projecting out of said casing, a tube rigid with the switch casing in surrounding relation to said pin and extending through said plate for securing said switch and yieldable means carried by said tube for actuating said pin, and actuating means for said switches housed in said main casing portion and having operating elements extending outwardly of the casing.

2. A controller comprising, in combination, a casing having a main portion opening upwardly and a closure therefor, a plate removably mounted near the top of said main portion, a plurality of switches mounted on the upper side of said plate for exposure and ready access upon removal of said closure, each of said switches having adapter means terminating beneath said plate, actuating levers for certain of said switches pivotally mounted on the under side of said plate, and operating elements extending outwardly of said main casing portion adapted to be operatively coupled with or uncoupled from said levers by insertion or withdrawal of said plate.

3. A controller comprising, in combination, a casing having a main portion opening upwardly and a closure therefor, a plate removably mounted near the top of said main portion, a plurality of switches mounted on the upper side of said plate for exposure and ready access upon removal of said closure, each of said switches having adapter means terminating beneath said plate, a lever pivotally mounted underneath said plate having laterally projecting arms for alternate engagement with the adapter means for two of said switches and a pin, a rod extending longitudinally of the main portion of said casing and mounted for axial movement, said rod having a groove for the reception of the pin on said lever as an incident to mounting of said plate, and means externally of said casing for shifting said rod axially.

4. A controller comprising, in combination, a casing having a main portion opening upwardly and a closure therefor, a plate removably mounted near the top of said main portion, a plurality of switches mounted on the upper side of said plate for exposure and ready access upon removal of said closure, each of said switches having adapter means terminating beneath said plate, a pair of right angle levers each pivotally supported from the underneath side of said plate to have a generally horizontally and a. generally vertically extending arm, said horizontal arm terminating opposite an adapter means for a switch, a plunger for each of said levers projecting outwardly of said casing, and a collar fixed on the inner end of said plunger having a groove therein for reception of the free end of the vertical arm of the lever as an incident to placing of said plate in position on said main casing portion.

5. In' a controller, a casing, a plurality of switches mounted within said casing and actuating means for certain of said switches including an axially movable rod extending longitudinally of said casing and projecting at one end therefrom, a lever engaging the projecting end of said rod for actuating the same in either direction axially, spring means urging said rod in one direction to a normal position, a plunger having a lost motion connection with the remaining end of said rod and projecting outwardly of said casing, and a compression spring interposed between said rod and said plunger.

6. A controller comprising, in combination, a casing, a plurality of switches of the leaf element type mounted within said casing, actuating means for said switches housed within said casing including operating elements extending outwardly of said casing, and yieldable means interposed between each of said switches and said actuating means for permitting movement of said actuating means beyond that required to actuate said switches.

7. In a controller, a casing, a plurality of switches mounted Within said casing and actuating means for certain of said switches including an axially movable rod extending longitudinally of said casing and projecting at one end therefrom, a lever directly engaging the projecting end of said rod for actuating the same positively in either direction axially, a plunger projecting from said casing through the end opposite said lever and having the remaining end of said rod received slidably therein, and a compression spring interposed between said rod and said plunger adapting said plunger to actuate said rod impositively in one direction only.

8. In a controller, a casing, a plurality of switches mounted within said casing and actuating means for certain of said switches including an axially movable rod extending longitudinally of said casing and projecting at one end therefrom, a lever directly engaging the projecting end of said rod for actuating the same positively in either direction axially, limitedly operable spring means urging said rod in one direction to a normal position, a plunger having a portion projecting outwardly of said casing through the end thereof opposite said lever, cooperating means on the plunger and the end wall limiting outward movement of the plunger, a compression spring interposed :between said rod and said plunger urging said rod in a direction opposite to said first mentioned spring means, and a one another to the limit of the lost motion I means.

ALFRED G. ERICSON. BERTIL T. ANDERSON 

